What is Reye’s Syndrome
Reye’s syndrome is a rare condition that affects all organs of the body, but mainly the brain and liver. This condition causes swelling of the brain (cerebral edema) along with the breakdown and loss of liver function.
Reye’s syndrome must be treated as soon as possible to manage symptoms and reduce complications.
What are the causes?
The exact cause of this condition is not known. However, the condition is more likely to develop after a child or teenager is given aspirin to treat symptoms during a viral illness, such as the flu or chickenpox.
What are the symptoms of Reye’s Syndrome?
In addition to symptoms of a viral infection, such as the flu or chickenpox, your child may also:
- Have severe nausea.
- Vomit repeatedly.
- Have a headache.
- Feel confused, sluggish, disoriented, delirious, or agitated.
- Have signs of dehydration, like a dry mouth or little urine.
- Have a seizure.
- Pass out or fall into a coma.
- Have blood-clotting problems, such as bleeding.
- Have trouble breathing, which may lead to stopped breathing (respiratory arrest).
- Have yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed based on your child symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. Tests may also be done to confirm the diagnosis. Tests may include:
- A physical exam. Your child’s health care provider will look for signs of brain problems (encephalopathy).
- Blood tests.
- An exam of a tissue sample (biopsy) from your child’s liver.
- A procedure to remove a sample of fluid from the spine (cerebrospinal fluid).
- Head CT or MRI to look for signs of cerebral edema.
- A test to record the electrical activity in the brain (electroencephalogram, EEG).
How is Reye’s Syndrome treated?
There is no cure for this condition. Treatment for this condition is done in the hospital. Treatment focuses on managing your child’s symptoms and may include:
- Medicines to:
- Help with nausea and vomiting.
- Help remove ammonia from the blood.
- Control seizures.
- Remove excess water from your child’s body.
- Fight infection caused by bacteria (antibiotics).
- Electrolytes, fluids, or blood products given through an IV in a vein.
- Fluid restriction or maintaining a specific fluid balance in the body.
- Raising (elevating) the head of your child’s bed and keeping his or her body in a sitting position.
- Inserting a tube into your child’s stomach through the nose (nasogastric tube) to remove stomach contents.
- Using a device that checks for rising pressure in the brain.
- Dialysis (hemodialysis) to filter your child’s blood.
- A machine to help your child breathe (ventilator).
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
- Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
- If your child was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, give it as told by your child’s health care provider. Do not stop giving the antibiotic even if your child’s condition improves.
- Do not give your child aspirin. Aspirin is strongly associated with this condition.
General instructions
- Have your child rest. Ask your child’s health care provider when your child can return to normal activities and school.
- Your child may need to follow a special diet as told by his or her health care provider. This may involve limiting how much protein your child gets. Protein-rich foods include meats, nuts, and beans.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.
How is this prevented?
- Do not give your child aspirin or any medicine that contains aspirin or salicylates unless approved by your child’s health care provider.
- Ask your child’s health care provider which medicines are safe for your child.
- Keep a list of all the medicines your child takes. Always read medicine labels carefully.
- Follow recommendations from your child’s health care provider for a vaccine schedule. Make sure your child gets a flu shot every year.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your child has the following after having had a flu or
chickenpox infection:
- Repeated vomiting.
- Headache.
- Unusual sleepiness or fatigue.
- Sudden, strange behavior changes, including slurred speech.
Get help right away if your child:
- Becomes agitated, confused, or disoriented.
- Passes out.
- Has seizures.
- Has trouble breathing.
Summary
- Reye’s syndrome is a rare condition that may cause swelling of the brain (cerebral edema) along with breakdown and loss of liver function.
- The condition may develop after a child or teenager is infected with certain viruses and is treated with aspirin.
- Signs and symptoms include vomiting, sleepiness, confusion, seizures, and coma.
- Do not give your child aspirin or medicines that contain ingredients found in aspirin (salicylates) to treat symptoms of a viral illness.
